Apparatus for the electrolytic production of metallic powders



Sept. 24, 1929., M. A. ADAM 9 APPARATUS FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION 3F ETALLIC POWDERS Filed Dec. 31, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheer. l

| I i l M. /l HDHM INVEN 70R Sept. 24, 1929. M. A. ADAM 1,728,989

APPARATUS FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION OF IBTALLIC POWDERS Filed Dec. 51, 1925 2 Sheets-Shea: 2

M. HAD/QM INVENTUR Patented Sept. 24, 1929 UNITED STATES MATTHEW ATKINSON ADAM, OF LONDON. ENGLAND APPARATUS FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION OF METALLIC POWDERS Application filed December 31, 1925, Serial No.

This invention relates to the electrolysis of solutions from which metal can be deposited and more particularly relates to the recovery of tin deposited in the wet way from tinned iron, for example tin plate scrap, on to a rotating cathode in a flocculent, spongy, loose crystalline or other non-coherent form.

The invention consists in the employment of a travelling device moving in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction of travel of the periphery of the cathode, for removing the spongy deposit therefrom.

The invention also consists in apparatus for the electrolytic deposit of metals from solutions in a non-coherent or loose crystalline form and in particular for the deposit of tin in the recovery of tin in the wet way from tinned iron, in which apparatus the deposited metal is removed from the rotating cathode by means of a rotary device moving substantially at right angles to the travel of the periphery of the cathode, this rotary device consisting, for example, of a belt of rubber or the like extending over the Whole length of the cathode and carrying blades or vanes at intervals formed preferably of ebonite or vulcanite.

Referring to the accompanying draw- 1ngs:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of one form of the present invention, being a section on line 1-1'of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 2 is a plan of this form of the invention and Flgure 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

In carrying the invention into effect in the form illustrated by Way of example the apparatus includes rotary cathodes a and b and fixed trough anodes 0 and d. The anodes 0 and d are impregnated with carnauba or like wax and have unimpregnated facing ,seg-

' ments 0' and d. The electrolyte is fed to the gaps e and f between the anodes and cathodes from both sides of the apparatus by way of inlet pipes g and h and exhausts at the middle through a port i. Electric current is led to the anodes from a distribution 78,617, and in Great Britain January 1, 1925.

bar through copper blocks is and I forced against the anodes by bolts and nuts m, the spaces behind the anodes being filled with graphite n. The electric current leaves the cathodes by cathode shafts 0 and p from which it is collected by sleeves g and 1', leaving the apparatus by the lead 8.

The removal of the deposit from the oathodes is efl'ected by rotary belts t and u, one of which is mounted in. proximity to each drum a and b. Each belt is lightly strained over two pulleys o and w in respect of the belt t and m and 3 for thebelt u. Below the pulleys o and a" drip trays 1 and 2 are provided. Below the pulleys w and y collecting trays 3 and 4 are mounted and as shown these are provided with apertures 5 and 6 through which the deposit may be removed.

The belts in one form are made of rubber with vanes or blades 2 attached thereto. The blades are set at an angle so that the advance edge is on the side remote from that of the direction of movement of the cathode. The blades are shaped to fit the periphery of the cathodes, being so mounted that they sweep along the length of the cathodes so that their movement is substantially at right angles to the direction of rotation of the cathodes and the deposited metal is swept off into the boxes 3 and 4.

An apparatus of the kind described lends itself well to workin at high current density, enabling metal to be deposited in an easily removable non-coherent loose crystalline form which is particularly important in the case of tin which has a considerable tendency to be deposited in a coherent mass and from this aspect the new form of belt removing device assists because it minimizes any tendency to consolidate the tin on the cathode instead of maintaining it in its loose form.

Modifications may be made in the apparatus described. For example the axis of rotation of the cathode need not be horizontal.

The invention is not limited to the use of a cell with two rotating cathodes because more ma be used or one, preferably large, cathode.

he blades of the conveyor may be fixed to the conve or web in any suitable way, for example by being vulcanized therewith or dovetailed therein or by being made of such substantial thickness that they may be pinned or buttoned thereon.

Where in this specification and claims I have referred to the deposit of metal electrolytically in non-coherent form and the subsequent removal of this metal from the cathode on which it is deposited it is to be understood that the metal is in the non-coherent form at the time of removal and is not drawn from the cathode in the form of a coherent sheet but in flocculent, spongy, loose crystalline or other non-coherent form.

Having now described my invention What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Apparatus for electrolytic purposes comprising in combination an electrolytic cell, an anode, a cathode, a horizontal shaft for aforesaid cathode, means for rotating said cathode shaft, a horizontal shaft mounted above said cathode at right angles to the cathode shaft, a flexible member on said shaft contacting with said cathode and means for rotating said member.

2. An electrolytic apparatus including an anode, a cathode, means for rotating said cathode, a flexible belt extending above and along the length of said cathode, blades carried at intervals on the outside of said belt and means for rotating said belt.

3. An electrolytic apparatus including an anode, a cathode, means for rotating said cathode, a flexible belt made of rubber extending above' and along the length of said cathode, blades carried at intervals on the outside of said belt and means for rotating said belt.

4. An electrolytic apparatus including an anode, a cathode, means for rotating said cathode, a flexible belt extending above and along the length of said cathode, blades made of vulcanite carried at intervals on the outgide of said belt and means for rotating said 5. Electrolytic apparatus comprising an anode, a cathode, means for rotating said cathode, means for depositing a noncoherent deposit on said cathode and means for re: moving said deposit in a direction parallel to the axis of said cathode.

6. An electrolytic apparatus including an anode, a cathode, means for rotating said cathode, means for depositing metal in flocculent form on said cathode, means for removing said deposit from said cathode, and means for traversing the aforesaid removing means in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said cathode.

7. Apparatus for electrolytic purposes comprising in combination an electric cell including an anode and a cathode; a substantially horizontal shaft for aforesaid cathode, means for rotating said cathode shaft, a substantially horizontal driving shaft mounted 

